New Pandemic Cover Crop Program Helps Producers Continue Cover Crop Systems

Farmers who plant cover crops are now able to earn a $5 premium benefit on crop insurance through the USDA’s new Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP). PCCP is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, a bundle of programs to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The PCCP program will be distributed by the Risk Management Agency (RMA) with hopes of helping farmers maintain cover crops despite pandemic hardships. Cultivating cover crops requires a sustained, long-term investment, and the economic challenges of the pandemic made it financially challenging for many producers to maintain cover crop systems. PCCP helps ensure producers can continue this important conservation practice. To receive the benefit, a Report of Acreage form (FSA-578) must be reported by June 15, 2021 to your local USDA service center. Get the full scope of PCCP restrictions, caveats and deadline details.

Additional USDA RMA Resources:

• National Press Release – Producers with Crop Insurance to Receive Premium Benefit for Cover Crops
• Fact Sheet – Pandemic Cover Crop Program National Fact Sheet
• Managers Bulletin – COVID-19 Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP)
• Frequently Asked Questions – Pandemic Cover Crop Program FAQ